Telesat secures substantial multi-year contract with Viasat for Telesat Lightspeed services
Telesat (TSAT) has secured a significant multi-year contract with Viasat Inc. for its Telesat Lightspeed Low Earth Orbit (LEO) services. Viasat will integrate Telesat Lightspeed into its services portfolio for aviation, maritime, enterprise, and defense markets.
The thousands of aircraft equipped with Viasat GM-40 antennas will be able to access the Telesat Lightspeed network when global services launch in late 2027. The system will provide high-speed, low-latency broadband globally, including polar regions, with enterprise-grade Service Level Agreements (SLAs).
The network features advanced cybersecurity standards with Zero-Trust Network Access architecture and is built to telecom Carrier Ethernet standards for seamless integration.
Telesat (TSAT) ha ottenuto un importante contratto pluriennale con Viasat Inc. per i suoi servizi di Telesat Lightspeed Low Earth Orbit (LEO). Viasat integrerà Telesat Lightspeed nel suo portafoglio di servizi per i mercati dell'aviazione, marittimo, aziendale e della difesa.
Gli migliaia di aerei dotati di antenne Viasat GM-40 potranno accedere alla rete Telesat Lightspeed quando i servizi globali saranno lanciati alla fine del 2027. Il sistema fornirà broadband ad alta velocità e bassa latenza a livello globale, comprese le regioni polari, con Accordi di Livello di Servizio (SLA) di livello aziendale.
La rete presenta standard avanzati di cybersecurity con architettura Zero-Trust Network Access ed è costruita secondo gli standard Carrier Ethernet delle telecomunicazioni per un'integrazione senza soluzione di continuità.
Telesat (TSAT) ha asegurado un importante contrato a largo plazo con Viasat Inc. para sus servicios de Telesat Lightspeed Low Earth Orbit (LEO). Viasat integrará Telesat Lightspeed en su cartera de servicios para los mercados de aviación, marítimo, empresarial y de defensa.
Los miles de aviones equipados con antenas Viasat GM-40 podrán acceder a la red Telesat Lightspeed cuando los servicios globales se lancen a finales de 2027. El sistema proporcionará banda ancha de alta velocidad y baja latencia a nivel global, incluidas las regiones polares, con Acuerdos de Nivel de Servicio (SLA) de calidad empresarial.
La red cuenta con estándares avanzados de ciberseguridad con arquitectura de Acceso a Red de Confianza Cero y está construida según los estándares de Carrier Ethernet de telecomunicaciones para una integración sin problemas.
텔레샛 (TSAT)는 비아샛 Inc.와 텔레샛 라이트스피드 저궤도 (LEO) 서비스에 대한 중요한 다년 계약을 체결했습니다. 비아샛은 항공, 해양, 기업 및 방산 시장을 위한 서비스 포트폴리오에 텔레샛 라이트스피드를 통합할 것입니다.
비아샛 GM-40 안테나가 장착된 수천 대의 항공기는 2027년 말에 글로벌 서비스가 시작될 때 텔레샛 라이트스피드 네트워크에 접근할 수 있게 됩니다. 이 시스템은 극지방을 포함한 전 세계에 고속, 저지연의 브로드밴드를 제공하며, 기업 수준의 서비스 수준 계약(SLA)을 포함합니다.
네트워크는 제로 트러스트 네트워크 접근 아키텍처와 함께 고급 사이버 보안 표준을 갖추고 있으며, 원활한 통합을 위해 통신사 이더넷 표준에 따라 구축되었습니다.
Telesat (TSAT) a obtenu un contrat pluriannuel significatif avec Viasat Inc. pour ses services de Telesat Lightspeed Low Earth Orbit (LEO). Viasat intégrera Telesat Lightspeed dans son portefeuille de services pour les marchés de l'aviation, maritime, d'entreprise et de défense.
Les milliers d'avions équipés d'antennes Viasat GM-40 pourront accéder au réseau Telesat Lightspeed lorsque les services mondiaux seront lancés fin 2027. Le système fournira une large bande à haute vitesse et à faible latence à l'échelle mondiale, y compris dans les régions polaires, avec des accords de niveau de service (SLA) de qualité entreprise.
Le réseau présente des normes avancées de cybersécurité avec une architecture d'accès réseau Zero-Trust et est construit selon les normes Carrier Ethernet des télécommunications pour une intégration sans faille.
Telesat (TSAT) hat einen bedeutenden Mehrjahresvertrag mit Viasat Inc. für seine Telesat Lightspeed Low Earth Orbit (LEO) Dienste gesichert. Viasat wird Telesat Lightspeed in sein Dienstleistungsportfolio für die Luftfahrt-, Maritime-, Unternehmens- und Verteidigungsmärkte integrieren.
Die Tausenden von Flugzeugen, die mit Viasat GM-40 Antennen ausgestattet sind, werden in der Lage sein, auf das Telesat Lightspeed Netzwerk zuzugreifen, wenn die globalen Dienste Ende 2027 starten. Das System wird weltweit Hochgeschwindigkeits-, Niedriglatenz-Breitband bereitstellen, einschließlich der Polarregionen, mit unternehmensgerechten Service Level Agreements (SLAs).
Das Netzwerk verfügt über fortschrittliche Cybersicherheitsstandards mit einer Zero-Trust-Netzwerkzugriffsarchitektur und ist nach den Standards für Carrier-Ethernet-Telekommunikation für eine nahtlose Integration aufgebaut.
- Secured major multi-year contract with leading satellite broadband provider Viasat
- Compatible with thousands of existing Viasat GM-40 antenna installations
- Network designed for high-value enterprise and government markets
- Global coverage including polar regions enhances service offering
- Service launch not until late 2027 indicates long wait for revenue generation
Insights
This multi-year contract between Telesat and Viasat represents a significant commercial validation for Telesat's Lightspeed LEO constellation. The deal strategically positions Telesat in the high-value aviation connectivity market through Viasat, described as "the largest broadband connectivity provider in the commercial aviation market."
The compatibility with Viasat's existing GM-40 antenna installations creates an immediate addressable market of thousands of aircraft when services launch in 2027, eliminating a major adoption barrier. This technical compatibility represents a competitive advantage that could be difficult for rival LEO operators to replicate.
Telesat's architectural decisions appear well-aligned with enterprise requirements - particularly the implementation of enterprise-grade SLAs, Zero-Trust Network security architecture, and compliance with telecom Carrier Ethernet standards for integration ease. The constellation's global coverage, including polar regions, differentiates it from competitors with coverage gaps.
While service commencement isn't until late 2027, this agreement provides crucial market validation that could help secure additional partnerships and potentially improve Telesat's financing position for completing the Lightspeed constellation deployment. The focus on defense and aviation markets suggests Telesat is targeting premium segments where performance and security command higher margins.
This partnership represents a meaningful commercial win for Telesat, securing a "substantial multi-year" revenue stream from a market-leading customer. While specific financial terms aren't disclosed, several factors suggest positive financial implications.
First, the aviation connectivity market typically commands premium pricing compared to consumer broadband, suggesting favorable margins once operational. Second, Viasat's established position as the largest provider in commercial aviation offers Telesat access to thousands of aircraft already equipped with compatible GM-40 antennas, potentially enabling rapid revenue scaling when services commence.
The extended timeline to service launch (late 2027) means revenue impact is delayed, tempering near-term financial benefits. However, this contract likely improves Telesat's position with creditors and potential investors by demonstrating commercial traction for the Lightspeed constellation before deployment completion.
The partnership's focus on multiple high-value segments (aviation, maritime, enterprise, defense) suggests diversified revenue potential rather than dependence on a single market. The emphasis on security features and global coverage indicates positioning in premium market segments where Telesat can command better pricing.
This agreement represents a key commercial milestone that validates Telesat's business model and technology approach, potentially catalyzing additional partnerships ahead of the 2027 service launch.
OTTAWA, Ontario, April 07, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Telesat (Nasdaq and TSX: TSAT), one of the world’s largest and most innovative satellite operators, today announced that Viasat Inc. has signed a substantial multi-year contract for Telesat Lightspeed Low Earth Orbit (LEO) services. Under its multi-orbit strategy, Viasat plans to integrate Telesat Lightspeed into its services portfolio for aviation, maritime, enterprise and defense markets.
“From inception, we designed Telesat Lightspeed with advanced capabilities to meet the demanding, secure, mission-critical requirements of enterprise and government users, with unprecedented flexibility in how our customers define, deliver, manage and monitor the quality of experience to their end users,” stated Dan Goldberg, President and CEO of Telesat. “We are honored to be selected by Viasat – a global leader in satellite-delivered broadband solutions – as a LEO broadband connectivity provider, further validating the unique capabilities Telesat Lightspeed offers to enhance a service provider’s value proposition in the dynamic broadband connectivity market.”
Viasat is well positioned as the largest broadband connectivity provider in the commercial aviation market, providing airlines with unprecedented scalability and flexibility to differentiate their onboard experience. The thousands of airplanes that have the Viasat GM-40 antenna installed today will be able to access the Telesat Lightspeed network when global services commence in late 2027. Viasat and its airline customers also will be able to install next-generation electronically steerable antennas (ESAs) to access the advanced Telesat Lightspeed constellation.
Telesat Lightspeed enables enhanced inflight connectivity by delivering high-speed, low-latency broadband globally, as well as to hotspots such as large airport hubs, all backed by enterprise-grade Service Level Agreements (SLAs) for guaranteed performance. Airlines will be assured that passengers on every plane and every route around the world, including over the polar regions, will be capable of enjoying high quality connectivity gate-to-gate.
By designing to government cybersecurity standards and implementing a Zero-Trust Network Access architecture, Telesat Lightspeed will have the ability to provide secure and resilient communications for defense users. Built to telecom Carrier Ethernet standards for ease of integration and interoperability, Telesat Lightspeed supports the network automation goals of Viasat and other service providers.
About Telesat
Backed by a legacy of engineering excellence, reliability and industry-leading customer service, Telesat (Nasdaq and TSX: TSAT) is one of the largest and most innovative global satellite operators. Telesat works collaboratively with its customers to deliver critical connectivity solutions that tackle the world’s most complex communications challenges, providing powerful advantages that improve their operations and drive profitable growth.
Continuously innovating to meet the connectivity demands of the future, Telesat Lightspeed, the company’s state-of-the-art Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite network, has been optimized to meet the rigorous requirements of telecom, government, maritime and aeronautical customers. Telesat Lightspeed will redefine global satellite connectivity with ubiquitous, affordable, high-capacity, secure and resilient links with fibre-like speeds. For updates on Telesat, follow us on LinkedIn, X, or visit www.telesat.com.
Media Contact:
W2 Communications for Telesat
telesat@w2comm.com
Forward-Looking Statements Safe Harbor
This news release contains statements that are not based on historical fact and are “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and Canadian securities laws. When used herein, statements which are not historical in nature, or which contain the words “will,”, “plans,” or similar expressions, are forward-looking statements. Actual results may differ materially from the expectations expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements as a result of known and unknown risks and uncertainties. All statements made in this press release are made only as of the date set forth at the beginning of this release. Telesat Corporation undertakes no obligation to update the information made in this release in the event facts or circumstances subsequently change after the date of this press release.
These forward-looking statements are based on Telesat Corporation’s current expectations and are subject to a number of risks, uncertainties and assumptions. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors, some of which are beyond Telesat Corporation’s control, are difficult to predict, and could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or forecasted in the forward-looking statements. There are numerous risks and uncertainties associated with Telesat’s business and the Telesat Lightspeed constellation. Known risks and uncertainties include but are not limited to: inflation and rising interest rates; Telesat’s ability to meet the funding conditions of its funding agreements with the Government of Canada and Government of Quebec; technological hurdles, including our and our contractors’ development and deployment of the new technologies required to complete the constellation in time to meet our schedule, or at all; the availability of services and components from our and our contractors’ supply chains; competition; risks associated with domestic and foreign government regulation, including access to sufficient orbital spectrum to be able to deliver services effectively and access to sufficient geographic markets in which to sell those services; Telesat’s ability to develop significant commercial and operational capabilities; risks associated with operating satellites and providing satellite services, including satellite construction or launch delays, launch failures, in-orbit failures or impaired satellite performance; and volatility in exchange rates. The foregoing list of important factors is not exhaustive. Investors should review the other risk factors discussed in Telesat Corporation’s annual report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2024, that was filed on March 27, 2025, with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) and the Canadian securities regulatory authorities at the System for Electronic Document Analysis and Retrieval (“SEDAR”), and may be accessed on the SEC’s website at https://www.sec.gov/ and SEDAR’s website at https://www.sedarplus.ca/ as well as our subsequent reports on Form 6-K filed with the SEC and also available on SEDAR.
FAQ
When will Telesat Lightspeed global services begin operations?
What markets will Viasat serve using TSAT's Lightspeed services?
Will existing Viasat GM-40 antenna installations be compatible with TSAT's Lightspeed network?
What are the key features of TSAT's Lightspeed network for aviation customers?
